By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG meets fellow struggler Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night in what could be a season defining game for both clubs.
Separated on the ladder by only percentage, both sides suffer lengthy injury lists including key players, the Bombers this week missing inspirational captain Jobe Watson.
Both sides have had topsy turvy seasons of meritorious wins mixed in with shockers.
Essendon has only one win in its past four games – against lowly Brisbane – but without a thrashing like Geelong suffered last weekend.
Coach Chris Scott conceded the Essendon game was important.
“It’s not right to say it’s just another game,” he said.
“When you tend to be mid-season and in the middle of the ladder every game becomes crucial.
“If you can take a game away from teams near you and get one yourself it makes a big difference.”
Geelong and Essendon will turn the clock back with a VFL curtain-raiser on Saturday.
Fans can see two games for the price of one in a formerly commonplace schedule that has become increasingly rare with reserves teams usually playing at a different venues to their AFL affiliates.
